Program Spotlight: Earning a High School Diploma

1) High School Dropout Rate: A National Epidemic

Nearly 6.2 million students between the ages of 16 and 24 dropped out of high school in 2007, according to a study by The Center for Labor Market Studies and the Alternative Schools Network. Those stunning figures may come as no surprise to anyone who has dropped out of high school.

"In the current global economy, having at least a high school diploma is a critical step for avoiding poverty, and a college degree is a prerequisite for a well-paying job," the study reported to CNN.

Fortunately, you can take control of your future by enrolling in an online high school diploma program. In this guide, you can learn more about how you can earn a high school diploma online, improve your earning power, and achieve your educational goals at any age.

2) How Do You Earn a High School Diploma Online?

Your online high school education is personalized to meet your needs in an engaging self-paced format. Some high school programs require full-time participation on a daily basis, while others allow you to create your own educational schedule, work at your own pace, and graduate on your own timeline.

Most online high school programs feature asynchronous learning, meaning that you don't have to be online at a certain time to meet with your instructor or fellow students. Class discussions are often completed in an online forum setting--you can read the posts your instructor and fellow students make, and respond on your own time. Many working adults pursuing an online education will log on before or after work to complete their assignments.

3) Basic Technical Requirements for Online High School Education

Whether you're a computer geek or a technology novice, you can earn a degree online. Students may log on using their home computer, or travel to a library or Internet cafe to complete their work. While a home computer is recommended for ease of access, any computer with a Web connection can be used to complete your online high school education.

No matter where you log on, your computer needs to meet certain requirements to ensure your success in the program. Typical computer operating systems include:

• Microsoft® Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows NT® 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional or Home Edition, or Windows Vista
• Apple® MAC OS 9.0 or newer, MAC OS X v. 10.1 or newer

In order to see, hear, and connect to your online high school program, your computer's hardware should meet specific sound, visual, and connectivity requirements. Hardware requirements typically include:

• Windows-compatible PC with an equivalent of 233 MHz Intel® Pentium® processor
• Apple Macintosh with 180 MHz PowerPC® 604e processor or higher
• 128MB of RAM
• 16-bit audio adapter and speakers
• Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor with 256 colors
• Internet connection (DSL, Cable, or High Speed Recommended)

Online high schools typically employ technical support departments that are on hand and available to help with your technical problems and questions. You don't have to be a computer genius to succeed in an online course. If you ever need help logging on or submitting assignments, you should benefit from a support network of helpful technical advisors.

4) What Will You Learn in an Online High School Diploma Program?

Material in online high school diploma programs resembles what you might study in a traditional high school. Because online high school education programs are typically geared towards working adults, the coursework you'll find in an online diploma program often mixes high school fundamentals with real-world issues. For example, coursework may include the following basic elements:

• Social Studies: Foundations of human behavior, social issues in the workplace
• American History: Prominent Americans in civilian life, America at war, great Presidents and leaders
• Science: Ecology and environmental preservation, the human body
• Mathematics: Managing finances, algebra, geometry
• English: Writing, reading, public speaking fundamentals

Online high school diploma coursework is often engaging and interesting. Students often find they enjoy the challenge of returning to education, with coursework that is challenging without being overly frustrating.

5) What Can You Do After Earning Your High School Diploma?

Graduating high school is a true achievement. The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems reports that in the United States, only 68 percent of all high school students graduated in the year 2006. In Florida, Georgia, and Nevada, nearly half of students did not graduate high school with their graduating class.

If you're a adult who never earned your high school diploma, you're not alone. Students leave high school for a range of reasons:

• Family or work commitments
• Behavioral or expulsion issues
• Lack of challenging material in classes
• Lost interest in school

No matter what your reasons were for leaving school, you can take control of your life and improve your world with a high school education. A range of options open up to graduates with high school diplomas. Consider the benefits of earning your high school diploma at any age:

• Find more entry level employment opportunities, including some Federal positions
• Enjoy higher earnings and lower unemployment rates on average
• Attend vocational schools, colleges, junior colleges, cosmetology school, and more

Whether you want to enter a beauty pageant or attend culinary school, you should find a wealth of eligibility requirements open up to you once you've earned a high school diploma. Temporary staffing agencies may prefer or require a high school diploma among their worker pool. From your work opportunities to your educational future, a high school diploma opens doors.

6) Online High School Diplomas for Younger Students

Many students earning their high school diplomas online are working adults returning to school after years away. However, younger students looking for an alternative to their current high school education may also consider completing an online high school education. Some online high schools offer full-time options for grades 9-12.

Attending high school online is a convenient solution for students of all ages and from all backgrounds:

• Homeschooled students
• Working adults
• Private or public school students
• Special needs students

Some online high schools are restricted to adults under age 21, while others are open without an age limit. Contact online high schools to find out how your individual needs as a student can be met. No matter what your reason for leaving a traditional high school educational program, use an online education to cater your schooling to your specific requirements.

7) Benefits of Earning a High School Diploma Online

Why should you earn a high school diploma online? Even if you've been away from school for a long time, you can come back to an online education. Students like you find a range of benefits to logging on to earn their high school diplomas online. Here are just a few:

• Convenience. Because your classes meet online, there's no classroom requirements and no hassle. You can keep your work and family commitments as you pursue your online high school education.
• Standardization. Accredited online institutions are reviewed by third-party accrediting agencies, meaning that your high school diploma education is considered at the same standard as a traditional high school education.
• Accessibility. Online education programs are prepared to handle your accessibility needs. From technical questions to coursework help, the faculty, staff, and technical support at an online high school will help you feel comfortable as you return to school.

Your experience with online education means personal challenges and triumphs for you as a student. Distance education does require a large amount of self-paced work and accountability. If you're motivated to succeed and ready to benefit from the support network of an online education, an online high school diploma could be the most convenient way to move towards your dream of becoming a high school graduate.

8) Differences Between a High School Diploma and a GED

While a high school diploma and a GED are often considered equivalent, not all employers and colleges view them in the same light. Some employers may be prejudiced against a GED, as they may feel that the GED does not show the same academic commitment that a full high school diploma course requires.

Because the GED exam is made up of a series of tests, it doesn't have the same coursework and support of a high school diploma program. Completing a GED program does not result in a high school diploma. If you want the distinction of a diploma, you need to graduate from an accredited high school, such as those offered online.

9) Salary Benefits for High School Diploma Holders

You might suspect that earning an education means lower unemployment rates and higher earnings. Statistically, workers in the United States benefit from a high school level of education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that full-time workers over the age of 25 notice a big difference in earning power after earning a high school diploma:

• Workers with less than a high school diploma earned median wages of $453 a week in 2008. That's $23,556 a year.
• Workers who were high school graduates earned $618 a week that same year. That's $32,136 a year, $8,580 more every year than those without diplomas, and over $429,000 more after 50 years of employment.

For workers with a high school education, the diploma means hundreds of thousands in earnings over a lifetime of higher salaries. For you, earning a high school diploma could mean better jobs, more money, and a higher standard of living for the rest of your life. Employment rates also rise for high school graduates:

• Those with less than a high school diploma saw unemployment rates of 9 percent in 2008.
• Those who were high school graduates saw significantly lower unemployment rates, at 5.7 percent that same year.

Even if you don't go on to pursue a college education, you can enjoy the benefits of a high school diploma. A high school diploma is much more than a piece of paper: it's proof of your willingness to prioritize your education. Employers often prefer a high school diploma when considering applicants, and your work experience benefits from the proof of formal education.

10) Online Education Beyond the High School Diploma

Earning a high school diploma opens the door to education down the road. Because most schools require a high school education among students, a high school diploma is your first step. From there, consider taking a few online college courses or earning an online associate's degree. Online education works at your speed, allowing you to study as much or as little as you want in a convenient online format.

Whether you're looking for another option besides a traditional high school or you've been away from high school for a long time, invest in your future with an online high school diploma. The tools you'll find at Online-Education.net's online high school portal can match you with an online high school education that truly meets your needs as a student.